COVENTRY COLLIERY 0-3 DUNLOP 1ST: THE INDEPENDENT GAME REPORT + SCREENSHOTS...

 Dunlop Tire Toiling Colliery…

Coventry Colliery 0-3 Dunlop 1st

The Mowdog’s thoughts…

Despite a good deal of territorial advantage, Colliery struggled to cope with Dunlop’s often slick play and rapid pace. Absentees certainly didn’t help the Colliery cause but with ex-Coventry Rangers players Ryan Alexander and Rory Turnbull in the eleven, more was surely expected of the home team by their manager Rhys Lyons.

Both teams created goal chances throughout the encounter but Dunlop took three of theirs and the hosts squandered a number of opportunities. The two goalminders, Tom Wallis for Coventry and Ant Archer for the visitors made some useful saves in what was an entertaining match-up.

A hard pitch and a slightly blustery wind caused a few problems for the players but the contest was keen throughout, although Wallis had to scramble a save in the opening moments at his right post from the eager and impressive Jack Archer, before Habib Salim drove just wide of the goalie’s right stick. 

Dennis Abiodun’s opening goal came as a result of a high ball forward by Luke Wale which home defender Ben Winkless couldn’t deal with in the windy conditions and the Dunlop striker was presented with a comfortable lob over the stranded Wallis from downtown. 

0-1...

Yes, David Obeng shot too high from close range, Ant Archer did really well to tip aside a 40 yard delivery/shot from Liam Cawley and Alexander’s volley from 19 yards bounced wide, but in reality Dunlop looked the more cohesive and speedy outfit before the break.  

ANT ARCHER FLIES TO SAVE FROM FAULKNER...

The offsides, the saves and two more Dunlop goals…

A penalty was awarded to Dunlop when the rampaging Jack Archer fell under Winkless’ desperate slide, leaving the visiting number 13 to convert the spot-kick himself by sending Wallis the wrong way. 

JACK ARCHER SHOOTS...

...& SCORES...

Then ‘goals’ were ruled out for both teams, both signalled by linespersons representing the opposition and of course both decisions were hotly disputed. Home forward Charlie Faulkner turned the ball in at the right post from a left-flank free-kick when Ant Archer was unable to reach the delivery, then Salim converted from a yard or so when Wallis was unable to hold a shot by Mo Camara but the Dunlop joy was short-lived as a flag waved and that effort too was disallowed.

FAULKNER CONVERTS...

...BUT HE WOULD BE FLAGGED OFFSIDE...

Always awkward when official linespersons are unavailable at this level…  

SALIM LEAPS BUT HIS STRIKE WOULD BE FLAGGED OFFSIDE TOO...

So, Faulkner’s acrobatic 16 yard shot was turned aside by the leaping Ant Archer, before Salim was denied for Dunlop by Wallis and after a fine left-side run, Jack Archer’s low drive struck the base of the far upright and Mo Camara fired off target.

Just prior to the killer third goal, Faulkner’s low shot was stopped well by Ant Archer, who also denied replacement Sean John, whose angled rebound was turned away. Dunlop substitute Kingsley Manyo then forced a low save from Wallis but soon the striker had settled the match.

A long clearing pass by Jack Archer saw Manyo break clear and as Wallis exited his 18 yard box, the forward nodded the ball past the gloveman, ran on and tapped it into the empty net. Great celebration too, as he jumped to sit upon an advertising hoarding, reminding me of touchdown scorers in the NFL… 

MANYO SCORES...

...THEN CELEBRATES...

Faulkner’s low drive from an angle on the right struck the foot of the far post and the excellent Lewis Watts hacked Obeng’s rebound effort from his goal-line, before John skied a shot over the target from a few yards out.

Dunlop ended the affair when replacement Jack Campbell-Watkins got through at inside-left but Wallis made a good save, rising left to tip the ball to safety.

The final words…

First the apologies… 

Mistake 1: I thought Manyo’s name on the Dunlop team sheet was ‘Hanyo’…

Mistake 2: I misread Wallis’ name as ‘Willis’, which I can’t explain…

Mistake 3: I didn’t start filming when Abiodun ran after Wale’s long clearance because it looked like Winkless would head clear. He didn’t and I hit the record button rather late… 

That was my bad…

Tijan Camara and Watts did well in the Dunlop defence, alongside Wale, whilst Ahmed Gumaa worked tirelessly in midfield with Mo Camara and skipper Olyaanaa Ahmed but the two Archers excelled for their team. Salim was often lively in attack, as was substitute Ivanildo Zacarias…

Home skipper Taylor Dodds was prominent in defence, Ben Tennant was strong and he, like fellow full-back John Agbo managed great distances with their throw-ins. Alexander was busy but Faulkner played well enough in attack and might have resisted two or three goals on another day. 

Thanks to Colliery for their kind welcome…